After another round of games in the NPFL, we highlight some of the biggest talking points. From the fans’ support to the exciting goals scored, game week two delivered on many fronts.
Home teams maintain Dominance
As was the case last week, teams continue to make their home advantage count. Nine of the ten games on match day two saw the hosts pick up maximum points, that’s two more than the 7 from the opening week. And if not for Lobi and Sporting who’ve picked up draws on their travels, it would have been 100% home wins so far. At this stage last season, 5 games had ended in wins for away sides with 7 others ending in stalemates. But it seems the home boys are turning on the screw early on and the travelers are struggling.
The 2014 season was the last time there was no away win after two match days in the Nigerian topflight. In that season, it took four rounds of matches to register the first win by a visiting team. Would we have to wait that long or the midweek games will produce an away win? We wait!
Set piece proving crucial
For match week two of the NPFL, 18 goals were scored and 7 of those goals were from set pieces. Doma United was the biggest beneficiary as both of their goals came from dead-ball situations. Andrew Majalisa’s low drive from a free kick beat Bayelsa’s Edwin Ayiba in the first half before Charles Terwar finished a well-worked free-kick from close range 13 minutes into the second.
Fantastic set piece header by Gombe United 1-0!#NPFL #Live #GUFC #EUFC pic.twitter.com/gqFgNtSVSy
— NPFLLive (@NPFL_Live) October 8, 2023
There were more goals from set plays at the Pantami Stadium with Gombe United repeating the trick on Enyimba. Chijioke Alaekwe headed home a free kick at the end of the first half, while Jimoh Ahmed scored a top bin from the edge of the box in second-half stoppage time.
Abdul Rafiu’s free kick for Sunshine Stars was only a consolation as Lobi’s Adeleke Ajibola’s header from a corner turned out the winner in the same game. The game between Kwara United and Abia Warriors was decided by a well-worked corner finished by Isaiah Ejeh.
It’s good to see teams put in the effort for their set-piece routines. It’s even better when they get rewards for it, that will assure them they are doing right.
Where there’s no plaque, palliative will do
When you think you’ve seen it all, NPFL teams spring up new surprises!
When Alao Mohammed was announced as the MOTM following Kwara United’s win against Abia Warriors, he must have expected a plaque, mini trophy, gong, or cash reward. Well, his team had other ideas. After the game, the midfielder was presented with what has been described as a palliative by many on social media.
Nothing embarrassing, MOTM watch has come in different shapes and sizes all over the world
— Balogun Hammed Olanrewaju (@B_H_O29) October 8, 2023
The Chief press secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaye was on hand to present the reward.
Agagbe making a case for the Lobi Stars job
Lobi has started the season well despite losing their manager just before the season and one man has been responsible. Bala Mohammed who had joined the team in June resigned two weeks before the first game of the season. The former Niger Tornadoes gaffer had replaced Baba Ganaru who was dismissed at the end of last season. He would also leave the position after a disagreement with management.
With the timeframe short and options few, Lobi had to find a solution from within, and Eugene Agagbe was appointed. Not the first time the Lobi youth coach has stepped in in an acting capacity after he filled the same position in March 2022 when former coach Eddy Dombraye was sacked. Eugene has led the team to an opening-day draw in Owerri against Heartland and a 3-2 home win over Sunshine Stars on Sunday. The former Lobi Stars player is making a good case for his role to be made permanent this time around and reports are that the club management is pleased with his work and not looking for a new head coach.
The ‘Suit Derby’ Delivered
Going into the second round of games, one of the subplots was the meeting between Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu. The Remo Stars and Enugu Rangers coaches are close friends off the pitch and two of the best on it. The clash was tagged “a reunion of friends” by some and “the battle of swag” by others. But for this writer, “The Suit Derby” seems like the perfect tagline for these occasions seeing that both men also try to win the ‘best dressed award’ in these games.
While the jury is still out on who slayed fashionwise, only one man is winning the points and bragging rights. Ogunmodede has won back-to-back games against his dear friend and remains unbeaten after three meetings. The game in itself was a delightful watch with both teams playing on the front foot and looking to cause havoc to opposing defenses. Ogunleye Kazeem’s strike was wildly celebrated but goals by Seun Ogunribide and Sikiru Alimi ensured the Flying Antelope left Ikenne empty.
Drama in Ikenne.
Rangers scored, the coach and players gave us the SIUUUUUUU celebration.
The 'Suit FC' are leading. ?
? @PoojaMedia pic.twitter.com/ABCdGWyplm
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel ?? (@OgaNlaMedia) October 8, 2023
The fans are returning
It’s only the second week but the fans are beginning to turn up to stadiums to support their teams. Across match venues last weekend, we saw large crowds cheering and pushing their teams as they chased the points. It was a nearly packed Sani Abacha Stadium as supporters of Kano Pillars came to back their team in their first home game since their return to the top flight.
Impressive turnout at #PILKAT, the game ended Kano Pillars FC 1-0 Katsina United FC.#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/HJS6ns03BV
— NPFL News ?? (@NPFL_News) October 7, 2023
The Kwara Sports Complex wasn’t as full as Kano but it still had a large number of spectators. Both Doma and Gombe United share the same stadium and had to play on different days but the fans still showed up on Sunday for Gombe after massive support on Saturday for their City rivals. There were pockets of fans in other match venues and the crowd will increase as the season progresses.